Fences are used to provide privacy and divide properties, protect from fires or winds, and even keep the animals inside the perimeter or out of it. Having a few well-known materials used for fences for a long time is GRP a good alternative to metal, wood, or concrete?
A few advantages, such as non-conductive properties, high tensile strength, resistance to corrosion and chemicals, form a mix to deliver a highly durable, cost-effective, and sustainable fencing solution using GRP.
What is GRP fencing?
GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) or FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) is a material obtained by blending high mechanical strength fiberglass (a mineral product) with polyester. The glass fiber incorporated in GRP panels is a lightweight and flexible component that provides resistance to ambient conditions.
Weight and flexibility are not the only advantages due to which fiberglass is used in fencing manufacture. Here are other advantages of fiberglass:
- it has a specific resistance greater than steel
- good electrical insulator even at low thickness
- low thermal conductivity
- dielectric permeability
- it does not support or propagate a flame
- when exposed to heat, does not emit smoke or toxic products
- not influenced by changes in temperature and hygrometry
- does not rot
- remains unaffected by the action of insects or rodents
All these benefits make Glass Reinforced Plastic fencing an excellent choice to mark and secure your boundaries, wherever your premises are located or whatever your business is.
Reasons why wood is not better than GRP fencing
- high maintenance compared to other types of fences
- limited life, depending on the maintenance (5-10 years)
- needs painting and care on a regular basis
- because of the nature of wood, usually, there is no warranty
- drying wood deforms and contracts sags
- when the wood dries, it cracks, fades, and warps
- decomposing wood is vulnerable to fungus
- vulnerable to termite infection
The use of wooden fences can make your financial investment higher over time, justified maybe, by the fence’s destination only. Most wooden fences need to be maintained annually and usually replaced within ten years. Wood is not an element that will last for decades and it will eventually wear out.
Even the wood seems the handiest solution, at first sight, it is essential to be aware that replacement or maintenance costs throughout the life of the fence can accumulate higher charges than other types of fences.
This is why concrete is not better than GRP fencing
- higher upfront costs
- might require a foundation
- permanent fence solutions
- can crack in the event of an earthquake
Although it involves almost no maintenance and concrete has proved that it can last for over 50 years, this fencing solution requires a huge investment. If you need a foundation (when building on uneven ground), the costs are way higher than your average metal, wood, or GRP fences.
Is GRP a good alternative to metal fences?
Compared with steel equivalents, GRP, otherwise known as FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymer), offers developers many advantages over metallic alternatives.
Some metal fences can last for 20 years or even for life if the finish is protected or maintained when is the case. To prevent rust, any scratches on iron or steel need to be recoated with paint.
During its 50-year lifespan, GRP offers a low-maintenance solution, in all its forms, with little need for refurbishment or renovation. Of the 3 materials compared, GRP fences are most similar to metal fences. However, metal fences are not preferred because these are/have:
- a higher initial upfront investment
- heavier solutions
- sturdier in extreme weather
- some maintenance over time
- fence repairs could be difficult.
Conclusion
All these materials used by the fence manufacturers have specific benefits and disadvantages. Lightweight, radio transparent, strong, non-corrosive, non-conductive, and much more attractive, GRP is, for sure, an excellent alternative to metal, wood, or concrete fencing.
Ideal for Airports and Utilities, National Railways, power plants, electrical or gas enclosures, chemical sites, big or small businesses, anyone can successfully use GRP fencing as a solution to mark their property’s boundaries.
